Dridam Movie Reviews

The overall critical reception for Dridam has been largely underwhelming, with most reviewers pointing to its sluggish screenplay, excessive exposition, and inconsistent execution as major drawbacks. While the film attempts to position itself as a suspense-driven police procedural with psychological undertones, critics widely felt that the narrative fails to sustain intrigue despite a potentially engaging premise. A recurring point of appreciation across reviews is the film’s climax, which several critics described as impactful, deceptive, or shock-driven. Reviewers also acknowledged Shane Nigam’s committed performance, with some noting that his grounded portrayal of a police officer adds sincerity to the film. A few critics appreciated the film’s attempt to create a slow-burn investigative atmosphere and its smoke-and-mirrors approach leading into the finale. However, the praise largely ends there. Many reviewers criticised the screenplay for being overly laboured and packed with soulless dialogue and excessive explanations that dilute the suspense. Several noted that the film starts with promise but gradually collapses under clichéd storytelling, clumsy red herrings, and forced attempts at shock value. The police procedural elements were also seen as generic and derivative, evoking familiar tropes associated with filmmakers like Jeethu Joseph and Shahi Kabir without matching their narrative sharpness. Another major criticism concerns the climax itself. While some found the ending rewarding, others believed the film stretches its realism too far in pursuit of a shocking payoff, ultimately weakening the emotional and investigative credibility built earlier. Critics also pointed out that the excessive violence and over-explanatory narration rob the film of the subtlety expected from an effective thriller. Overall, Dridam is viewed as a suspense thriller with flashes of potential and an interesting ending, but one that ultimately struggles due to weak writing, uneven pacing, and an inability to fully capitalise on its premise.

Verdict:

A slow-burning thriller with an intriguing premise and a reasonably effective climax, but dragged down by clichéd writing, excessive exposition, and inconsistent storytelling.